Diary of Gail Lierer - Week 4 - November 21-28

Spent most of the day getting ready for Thanksgiving.† Worked in the house and Dave called occasionally to help him string out tile for the trench he was digging.† Our tile system is almost done for this field.† A few more runs and we will have it complete.† Over 18,000 feet of tile in this side of the field not counting the tile that was put in during the spring months. Drainage is very important for the plants we grow like our corn and soybeans.† It is also very good for the herbicide we spray for weed control.† Plants do not like wet roots; if the water can get away quicker it promotes plant growth and helps make a healthier plant, thus making bigger yields.† We have checked our yields in the same field with the tiled field this spring and not tiled where we are installing it now.† The yields were a difference of 30 bushels in the tiled ground compared to the not tiled ground.† That to us is a huge difference.† Our Farm Bureau Board meeting will be a 7 p.m. so I have a meeting with our OD Christy Montoya at 5:30 p.m.† to talk about our Farm Bureau membership campaign. We are looking for new members so if you are interested in joining let me know or call our Farm Bureau Office, 513-844-8371.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Woke up to rain falling on the roof top.† A welcome sound considering we were a few inches short all year.† I spent the day with the grandsons and cleaned up a little of the house.† Tyler can get out more toys in an hour than any one kid I know.† Heís adorable and it is always nice to have them come over.† Dave went on a parts run for one of the chain saws and to check on one that was getting an estimate of parts needed.† Dave came back and worked in the garage.† Our district had a meeting in Eaton, Ohio with trustee Randy Leis to go over some of the policy book with us.† I am one of five delegates heading to Columbus, Ohio on Dec. 1, for the annual meeting.† We will vote on policy changes and vote as needed.† It is very interesting to be a delegate for the county.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Rain did not stop Dave from putting in more tile.† He only ran one run up along the driveway but he has it done and was pushing it shut by 4 p.m.† It has been a busy week and I am ready for a home cooked meal at home!† Heather, Davidís wife, offered to have Thanksgiving so I am preparing the ham and turkey and she is doing all the side dishes.† So I cooked my turkey breast and ham and have it all sliced and put into a crockpot all we have to do tomorrow is heat it up.† For dinner we sampled the ham we are having tomorrow. We called Daveís parents -- it was their anniversary. They were married 61 years today.

Thanksgiving Day-Thursday, November 25, 2010

Dave went out to feed and put bedding down for the steers.† With the rain they need some nice dry straw to lie on.† We rode down to Daveís parents house and then over to Heather and Davidís for Thanksgiving dinner.† It was a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving Day.

Friday, November 26, 2010

I went over to watch the grandsons so Heather could feed her horses.† It was cold and it was better that I went over there instead of her taking the boys out into the cold air.† After I arrived home, Christa and Bryan rolled in from Frankfort, OH.† Bryan was heading out to Indiana to hunt and Christa and I went shopping.† That was a huge mistake considering all the people had the same thought on that one.† I picked up some nice pork spare ribs to have for our meal on Saturday.† The whole family will be there for our Thanksgiving at our house, including the grandparents.† 14 total will be here to eat.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Prepared our meal for tonight.† I made ham and turkey, pork spare ribs and all the sides, busy day. It was great to have our whole family at one table for this Thanksgiving holiday.† Dave cut some firewood for the house. We heat with wood and it saves on our heating oil bill.† Dave ripped some ground the rain softened up the ground so the ripper does not pull so hard in the ground.† Mike took advantage of the sunshine and steam cleaned the skid loader; they just rebuilt the engine in it.† Grandpa took advantage of the power washer out and brought his John Deere Gator out to get washed.† The guys do much of their own mechanic work. It saves many dollars in labor bills in the shop.† They have totally rebuilt tractors and combines.† They have helped many people rebuild their equipment also. Sunday-† Attended church.† Dave had a brush fire and cleaned up some of the trees we pushed out to build fence this past September.† Tyler helped by picking up the branches and throwing them on the fire.† David took the bulldozer and a tree stump back. It will simmer for days before it burns up.† He also went in the woods and dug out some stumps so we can cut hay for the cows in there.† We lost many trees when the hurricane came through.† Christa left to go back to school and now the house is very quiet. I have all my dishes to put away from the meal yesterday and we will have leftovers for the entire week.† That will be good considering that I will be gone most of the week to meetings.

Check our pictures for the week.....

Mike Steam Cleaning the John Deere Gator and the Skid Loader they just rebuilt. Dave Ripping ground on Saturday. Coulters cut the ground and the knives put grooves in the ground to help break any compaction we might have so the crops can grow better next year.† Deep tillage tool.